Taxation & Legalities

Policies & Incentives

The Government's liberalisation and economic reforms programme aims at rapid and substantial economic growth and integration with the global economy in a harmonised manner. The Andhra Pradesh Industrial Policy 2005-10 is aimed at promoting industrialisation in the state. Incentives are being given to attract investment in this sector. The policy promises 100 per cent stamp duty and transfer duty reimbursement. Giving in to the long standing demands of the industry with respect to high power cost, the state has decided to reimburse 0.016 cents per unit. Large industries will especially gain as an Industrial Promotion Fund has been set up to cater to their specific problems on a case-to-case basis.

The government of Andhra Pradesh has sustained one key objective, and that is for rapid and substantial economic growth within the global economy. The industrial policy 2005-10 is aimed at promoting industrialisation in the state, and includes a number of incentives in order to attract investment in this sector. For more information on the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Policy 2005-10 please visit:

Special Economic Zone Policy

The Government of India is has passed an Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Act for streamlining the development of SEZs in the country. The State Government would leverage the act for the advantage of SEZs in various parts of the state for balanced trade and commerce with liberal tax, fiscal and administrative regime.

Export promotion

Export plays a major role in the industrial and economic development. In order to boost exports, the State Government is offering a special package of incentives to Export Oriented Units(EOUs).

Export industries will be given a 30 per cent grant for ground rent for participation in the international trade fairs, subject to a maximum limit of 9 sq metres

To sensitise exporters, programmes will be conducted with the assistance of EAN India and SISI on bar-coding

Export awards will be provided to EOUs to recognise best performing units with respect to quality, R. & D and performance

A state-of-the-art external information centre to be set up in collaboration with local chambers of commerce and associations and reputed organisations for dissemination of information and assistance to the export fraternity of the state

Incentives

In order to address the specific problems of existing large industries, the Government may offer a special package of fiscal benefits on a case-to-case basis. Exact fiscal benefits would be decided by State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB) from time to time depending on the nature of the project, investment, location, employment etc. An Industrial Promotion Fund with adequate provision will be created for this purpose. Guidelines and modalities for operating the fund will be decided by the SIPB.

Intellectual Property Rights

Intellectual Property Rights like any other property right, allow the creator or owner of a patent, trademark or copyright to benefit from his own work or investment. To encourage industries for innovation in product development, 50 per cent of the expenditure incurred in obtaining the patent will be reimbursed to enable the industry to protect the invention.

In order to encourage innovation, units having patents for products would be given purchase preference in all purchases made by government departments.

Fostering industry clusters

Clusters allow small local enterprises to make more effective use of underutilised resources (small scale savings or family labour) generating incomes that they cannot otherwise avail of while operating in isolation.

The Government of Andhra Pradesh has identified six industrial clusters for development under "Industrial Infrastructure Up-gradation 30 Scheme". Two clusters, namely, Pharma Cluster near Hyderabad and Auto Components Cluster in Vijayawada have already been approved by the Government of India for assistance and these are in the process of development.

The other four clusters, namely, Marine Food Processing Cluster in Bheemavaram, Powerloom Cluster in Sircilla, Leather Cluster in Hyderabad and Precision Engineering Tools and Components in Ranga Reddy are under consideration by the Government of India. Apart from the above, fourteen more clusters are in the process of development under the assistance of the Development Commissioner Small Scale Industry (DCSSI).

The Government accords highest priority to promotion of clusters in the state. The individual units in the clusters are eligible for the general incentives offered by the Government under the policy. Apart from this, clusters are also eligible for a special package of incentives for which the State Government has created a fund under the cluster development programme.

To capitalise on the natural resources and other advantages available in the sub-regions, the Government has proposed to develop industrial corridors in various parts of the state for sustainable and equitable industrial development.

E-Governance

The state has undertaken wide-ranging measures to nurture its industries: simplified, less restrictive regulations, labour and fiscal reforms, incentives etc. In line with this objective, the state has enacted a law for single-window clearances. It is the first state in the country to have a law for single-window clearances, which ensures that all clearances to investors are given within a specified period. The state has been qualified as "flexible" in its approach to labour regulations and "good" for its simplification of rules and regulations. It introduced the self-certification concept, common annual returns in place of multiple returns with simplified registers and zero inspection regime through accredited agencies.

Information Technology Policy

Power: IT is classified under industrial units for the purpose of levying the industrial power tariff incentives

Rebate on cost of land: IT/ITeS companies establishing their own facilities on clear government land are eligible for a rebate in cost of land calculated at the rate of US$ 487.80 per job created. This rebate in not available on acquired land

Stamp duty: 100 per cent reimbursement of stamp duty, transfer duty and registration fee has to be paid by IT and telecommunication companies

Zoning regulations and special stipulations for IT parks on private land and IT campus: IT/ITeS units will be exempt from the zoning regulations and from the payment of conversion fee

Urban land ceiling (ULC) exemption: Private land owners will be allowed exemption under ULC for development of IT parks with a minimum extent of 25 acres in the periphery of city limits and beyond. They will be allowed exemption under the same with a minimum of 5 acres within city limits subject to payment of prescribed fee

Training incentive: An incentive of US$ 48.78 per candidate will be provided to training centres, which successfully trained candidates in communication/soft skills and provide employment in reputed IT/ITeS companies

Special Package for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

This package is for IT industry units with a turnover less than US$ 2.43 million and more than US$ 0.24 million per annumThis package is for IT industry units with a turnover less than US$ 2.43 million and more than US$ 0.24 million per annum

Power: 25 per cent rebate on power tariff in the first three years of operations and conversion to industrial power tariff

Reimbursement of 50 per cent exhibition subsidy: For participating in international exhibitions limited to 9 sq. m. of space for the stall rent payable for participation in international events notified by IT &C Department.

Allotment of land: Government will attempt to reserve land for preferred allotment to SMEs in other locations. Criteria for allotment will be prepared separately.

IT exporters associations: Government will support associations such as HYSEA, NASSCOM, STPI, IEG or any such organisation (as decided by the committee) in creating libraries for making available materials on trends in technology, market intelligence, research reports and analysis, etc., by contributing US$ 0.024 million per annum for development of the SME sector by making such material available at these libraries

US$ 0.024 million as recruitment assistance for employing minimum 100 employees in IT and 200 employees in ITeS within one year of commencement of commercial operations in Hyderabad and around, up to 50 km

A special package of incentives will be offered to mega projects. Such projects will be defined as projects creating employment for more than 1,000 persons in the case of IT and 1,500 persons in the case of ITeS. An investment of above US$ 12.195 will be considered as a mega project.

To provide incentives and concessions to tourism projects to be set up in special tourism areas if they assure sustainable employment generation, promote rural tourism, promote commercially viable projects, etc.

To develop tourism sector through PPP

To adopt a single window clearance system

Incentives and Concessions

Concessional allotment of land on long lease of 33 years. For mega projects, lease period exceeding 33 years and lease rent shall be 10 percent of market value and reviewed every five years

An investment subsidy of 20 per cent of the project cost limited to US$ 0.048 million

Investment subsidy of 15 per cent of the project cost limited to US$ 0.048 million for upgrading of existing hotels

100 per cent reimbursement of stamp duty and transfer fee on purchase of land or lease of land meant for the project

Reimbursement of 25 per cent of value-added tax paid for a period of five years

Reimbursement of 25 per cent of luxury tax by new hotels for a period of five years

Reimbursement of 25 per cent of entertainment tax for multiplexes in theme parks and urban entertainment centres for a period of five years limited to 100 per cent of the project cost for projects more than US$ 1.219 million and located in notified tourism areas or special tourism areas

Floor area index relaxation

Automatic conversion/exemption from land use zoning regulations

Mines and Mineral Policy

The state has improved mineral administration through interaction with the district-level officers and stakeholders

Thrust is being given on pre-fixed time disposal of mineral concession applications to bring additional areas under mining and resource mobilisation

Government extends support for grounding of high-tech and innovative value-added mineral projects under single window industrial clearance

Aim is to serve as a guiding force to translate the mineral potential into reality with the objective of eco-friendly and sustainable mining

The government, through Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation Ltd., intends to enter oil and natural gas exploration and coal mining in other states. The government is contemplating levying cess on semi-precious stone areas, seignorage fee on weight basis for granite and has plans to levy prorated basis royalty on limestone consumed by cement companies

Agro Policy

By 2020, Andhra Pradesh will have a modernised and vibrant agro industry, bringing organised activity into rural regions. Agro industry will create higher incomes, export earnings and employment in rural areas, thus, stemming migration to cities. In addition, the state will have established an unbeatable lead over other Indian states in various agricultural sectors in which it has significant strengths.